Do You Really Need a Running App?
Strictly speaking, no. People ran perfectly well for thousands of years without smartphones. But in 2025, running apps offer so much value that ignoring them means missing out on tools that can genuinely improve your running experience, especially if you are part of a run club.
The right apps help you track your progress, plan your training, discover new routes, connect with your running community, and manage the logistics of group running. The wrong apps clutter your phone and drain your battery without adding anything useful.
This guide cuts through the noise and highlights the apps that actually matter for run club members and leaders in the UK.
For Club Management: RunClub
If you are part of a run club or thinking about starting one, the RunClub app is purpose-built for exactly this. Unlike general fitness apps that bolt on social features as an afterthought, RunClub is designed from the ground up around the needs of running communities.
What it does well:
- Create and manage your run club with a dedicated profile
- Set up recurring events so members always know when and where to meet
- Share routes with GPS maps that members can follow on their phones
- Track attendance and manage RSVPs so you know who is coming
- Member management with profiles and communication tools
- Check-in features for events so leaders can track who attended
- Discover local clubs if you are looking for one to join
Who it is for: Run club leaders who want to organise their club without relying on WhatsApp groups and spreadsheets, and runners who want to find and join local clubs easily.
Why it matters: Most running apps focus on the individual runner. RunClub focuses on the community. It solves the specific problems that run clubs face: communication, event management, route sharing, and member engagement. If you are serious about building or being part of a running community, this is the app to start with.
For GPS Tracking: Strava
Strava remains the most popular GPS tracking app among runners in the UK. It records your runs using your phone's GPS or a connected watch, and uploads them to a social feed where your friends and club mates can see your activity.
What it does well:
- Accurate GPS tracking with detailed pace, distance, and elevation data
- Segment leaderboards that let you compete on specific stretches of road or trail
- Social feed where you can give and receive kudos on activities
- Strava Clubs for connecting with your running group
- Route builder for planning new runs
- Training log that tracks your weekly and monthly volume
Who it is for: Runners who want detailed data on their performance and enjoy the social and competitive elements of sharing their runs.
Free vs paid: The free version covers basic tracking and social features. Strava Summit, the paid tier, adds advanced analytics, live tracking, and personalised training suggestions. Most casual runners will find the free version sufficient.
For Training Plans: Nike Run Club
Nike Run Club offers guided training plans for distances from 5K to marathon, complete with audio coaching from Nike's team of experts. The plans adapt to your schedule and fitness level, making them accessible for beginners and experienced runners alike.
What it does well:
- Structured training plans that adapt to your progress
- Audio-guided runs with coaching cues and motivation
- GPS tracking with pace and distance data
- Achievement badges and milestones to keep you motivated
- Completely free with no paid tier
Who it is for: Runners who want structured training guidance, particularly beginners who benefit from audio coaching during their runs.
The catch: Nike Run Club is excellent for individual training but has limited social and club management features. It works best as a complement to a club-focused app like RunClub rather than a replacement.
For Route Discovery: Komoot
Komoot is a route planning and discovery app that excels at finding running and hiking routes based on your location, preferred distance, and terrain type. It is particularly strong for trail runners and anyone who likes to explore beyond their usual roads and paths.
What it does well:
- Detailed route planning with surface type, elevation, and difficulty ratings
- Community-contributed routes with photos and reviews
- Turn-by-turn navigation so you never get lost
- Offline maps for areas with poor phone signal
- Integration with most GPS watches
Who it is for: Run club leaders looking for new routes, trail runners exploring unfamiliar areas, and anyone who wants more detail than a basic map can provide.
For Health Tracking: Apple Health or Google Fit
If you use an iPhone, Apple Health aggregates data from all your fitness apps into one place. If you use Android, Google Fit does the same. These are not running apps per se, but they provide a useful overview of your overall activity, sleep, and health metrics.
What they do well:
- Centralise data from multiple apps and devices
- Track steps, distance, and active calories throughout the day
- Monitor trends in your activity levels over weeks and months
- Integration with most running apps and GPS watches
Who they are for: Runners who want a holistic view of their health and activity, not just their running data.
For Music: Spotify
While not a running app, Spotify deserves a mention because music is a huge part of many runners' experience. Spotify's running playlists are curated by tempo, so you can find music that matches your pace. The offline download feature means you can listen without using mobile data.
Some run clubs create shared playlists that members contribute to. It is a fun way to build community and discover new music. The RunClub app even supports playlist sharing within your club, so your members can listen to the same tracks during their solo runs.
For Mindful Running: Headspace
Headspace offers guided running meditations that combine mindfulness with movement. If you find that running helps you clear your head, these sessions take that experience to another level. They are particularly useful for recovery runs or solo sessions between club nights.
What it does well:
- Guided running sessions that focus on breathing, body awareness, and mental clarity
- Sessions for different moods and goals: motivation, stress relief, gratitude
- Works alongside your GPS tracking app
Who it is for: Runners who value the mental health benefits of running and want to deepen that experience.
How to Choose the Right Combination
You do not need all of these apps. In fact, having too many creates more confusion than clarity. Here is a practical recommendation based on your needs:
If you are a run club member: RunClub for club events and communication, plus Strava or Nike Run Club for tracking your individual runs. That is all you need.
If you are a run club leader: RunClub for managing your club, Strava for personal tracking, and Komoot for discovering new routes. This combination covers every aspect of running a club.
If you are a beginner: RunClub to find a local club, and Nike Run Club for guided training plans. Start simple and add more apps as your needs evolve.
If you are a data enthusiast: Strava for detailed analytics, Komoot for route planning, and Apple Health or Google Fit to tie everything together. Add RunClub if you are part of a group.
The App That Brings It All Together
Technology should enhance your running experience, not complicate it. The best apps are the ones you actually use consistently, not the ones with the most features.
For anyone who runs with a group, the RunClub app is the starting point. It handles the community side of running that other apps overlook: finding clubs, managing events, sharing routes, and keeping your members connected. Everything else builds on top of that foundation.
Download RunClub today and discover how much better running is when you have the right tools and the right people by your side.
